HELPFUL safety advice on buying Christmas toys is now available from St Helens Council's Health Promotion Unit and the local Accident Prevention Group.

"Christmas is a time when most toys are bought and parents should be aware that not all toys are suitable for children," says Steve Massey, the council's Chief Environmental Health Officer.

"By law if a toy is only suitable for certain age groups it must say so on the packaging. Our advice is always check before buying," adds Steve. "Unsuitable toys can have tragic consequences as children under three are likely to put small parts straight into their mouths."

Each year there are more than 40,000 accidents involving toys, and statistics show that many of these are caused simply by carelessness; leaving toys out where they shouldn't be; keeping broken toys and letting very young children get access to their older brother's or sister's toys.

St Helens Council has launched a toy awareness campaign in an effort to get the timely message across. For a free copy of the safety pack telephone Andrew McCully, the council's Health Promotion Officer on St Helens 456375.

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